Target apparatus.



W. l. THOMPSON.

TARGET APPAQATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12. I917- w- Patented May14,19181 3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

I lnvenIor. WiHiqm L'Thompson WMWKW Anya.

W. l. THOMPSON.

TARGET APPARATUS.

v APPLICATION FILED MAR.12. 1917.

Patented May14,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 2,8

ITIVBHTOT. imam I.Thom W M pson Y W Atfys W. I. THOMPSON.

TARGET APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12. 19!]. 4

' Patented May 14, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Fig.5.

l ATES WILLIAM I. THOMPSON, 0F STONEHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

TARGET APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14;, 1918.

Application filed March 12, 1917. Serial No. 154,080.

1 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM I. THOMPSON a citizen of United States, and residentof Stoneham, county of Middlesex, State of ltlassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Target Apparatus, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to an apparatus for use in rifle ranges, armories, and shooting galleries wherein projectiles are fired at a target. This apparatus functions generally to carry a target, usually of paper, paperboard or card-board, from the firing station to an accurate position at a target station and thereafter. at the will of the marksman or an attendant at the firing station, to return the samev target to the firing station for inspection and scoring where it may be removed from the carrier. As the apparatus is electrically controlled wholly from theliring station there is no opportunity or necessity for any being to be in or near the line of fire and hence danger of accidental injury by the projectiles is eliminated. The novel electric control is such that the carrier in which the marksman places a target is moved by means of a motor, upon the closing of an electric circuit, to the target station. it a predetermined point in timed relation to the carrier travel, the circuit is automatically broken so that the target-carrying member comes to rest at an accurate and definite position at the target station; and, not only is the circuit automatically broken at such predetermined point, but also, the circuitconnections are automatically changed so that the motor may be reversely actuated nipon the subsequent closing'of the changed circuit at the firing station. Similarly, at a predetermined point in the travel of the carrier returning the same target to the firing station. the same automatic operations are effected so that the carrier is ready to travel again to the target station upon closing of the shifted circuit. A target lighting circuit and lights are also provided herein so that the target may be automatically lighted upon arrival in its position and the lights extinguished upon its departure. vFurthermore, a novel means of inspection of the target when punctured by a bulletis; provided and consists broadly in causing light rays to pass through the projectile apertures.

The general object of this invention is to provide a new, improved and simplified targetcontrolling apparatus.

Other objects of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawing, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention isnotconfined to. the exact features shown, as various changes may bemade within its reasonable scope.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the apparatus, being broken away in the middle,

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the box containing the mechanism for controlling the apparatus, the cover being removed;

F i shows the botv gear train actuated by the motor shaft;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring.

A selected embodiment of the general structure of apparatus designed to carry out the invention is shown in Fig. 1 wherein is shown the carrier 1 which is adapted to have the usual paper target 2 secured thereto. This carrier may be of any general type and is preferably provided with a way upon which it may travel rather than to permit it to be suspended from a movable flexible carrier which would permit excessive sag. The way here shown consists of a wire 3 which suspended in taut position between the firing station a and the targetstation 5. The carrier 1 may slide on the wire or may be provided with small trolley wheels 6 i which are grooved as is common in order to traverse the wire 3. The carrier here shown has a depending arm 7, suitably braced by bar 8, to which the target 2 may be manually I attached by means of 11 holding clamp 9.

to a shoulder 12 on each end of the carrier;

(ill

- wire 3 and of the actuating cord 10.

' lie.

"additional lighting unit is provided.

The opposite ends of, these cords are secured to different but simultaneously rotatable members such as drums l3 and 1%, see Fig. 3, which are preferably located at the firing station These cords'havetheir drum end portions wound in opposite directions about the drums 13 and let in order that, as cord lOis being wound up and the carrierpulled to the position at the target station shown in Fig. 1 the cord 11 being unwound-at substantially the same rate of speed and the two cords are thus maintained taut and tendency to sag reduced to a mo ic'urn. lihe difference in rate of winding, and unwind 'ing-isrelatively inappreciable aud'is due to the dilferent effective diametersof "the two drums on accountof the varying number of cord co'nvolutions thereon. At the target station is 'placed a single pulley 15 about which runs the cord from its drum to its fastening j on the end 'of the carrier. The pulley is 'journaled in a bracket 16 projecting from the frame 17 of the target station and bears at its outer end a plate 1.8 wich slightly overhangs the top edge ofthe oblique rear wall 19 of the bullet-proof inclosure of the target station. A beam :20 extends across the frame 17 of this station and supports the turn-buckle 21 (adjustable to assurethe tautness of the wire 8) having terminal hook engaging the target station end of the carrier wire 3. The 'buiferplate 18 is ap'e'rtured to permit the free passage therethroughof 'the carrier A he1i calspring 23 is positioned about the wire 3 adjacentthis plate 18 and serves to take up any'sho'ck of stoppage of the carrierat the target station. The opposite end of the 'wire 3 is secured to a ring screw fastened to a block 25 on the front frame of the firing station. Another helical springs 23 is siinilarly positioned at the firing station and takes theshock of-stoppage'of the carriage at this station.

The'target inclosure is preferably metallic 'atallp'oints which'are exposed to direct fire.

Thefront wall 26 has an opening 27 within which the carrier and depending target en ter to the exposed target position shown in Fig.1. The upper portion of the front wall has an aperture to permit the free passage of. the movable cord lO. The edges of the opening 27 are provided with vertical plates 28 and horizontal plates 29. desirably metal- These function toprotect the target lights 30 from the projectiles. The oblique plates-51 are; also preferably positioned to protect these forward'target lights. In orderto obviate the disadvantage of being compelled to pull forward the target carrier "ill order tomake it emerge from the opening stand thereby cause the light raysto be refiectedthrough any bullet holes therein. an The .get to waver or vibrate.

wall of the firing station.

tor shaft 45?. gear l8 fast on a studshaft which also has pulling forward of the target 110f,011ly involves delay incident to carrier movement but also the disadvantage of causing the tar- Therefore, behind the rear plates 32, which are oblique to the line ,of tire; are positioned rear lights 33. Hence, without movement of the target, the front or target lights 30 may be switched off from the firing station and the rear lights then turned'o'n. Upon inspection of the hit, the lighting may be restored to initial target illuminating status.

The control ofthis apparatus is located at the-firing station and thus is obviated the necessity ofthe presence of a being at the t target station with the attendant dangers of accidental or careless injury. As stated. the

control and actuation of this apparatus is 'elect'ricahand the switches are located'adjacentthe opening 3i of the front wall of the firing station and within easy reach of 'tlielnarlzsman while the general mechanism located overhead and out of the way.

A pulley 36 having the two cord drums 13 and liabove referred to, is fast on the shaft 87 which is actuated by the reversible c \ctric motor 38 through a gear train of which aregenerally designated by the numeral 39. This framework 39 is supported-by the housing or box l0 of the actuating mechanism, the box 40 being seeuredio a support ll fastened to the front J The sheaves llwaich guide the cortls'lO and 11 to their respecti e drum portions of the pulley 36.

are rotatable upon stud shafts l3 which are borne by the framework lVhile the drums l3 and 1% are referred to as separate pulley shaft- 37 isdrivenby the motor by means of a spur gear l6 fast 'on'the 1no- The spur l6 meshes with a travel of'the carrier and the actuation of the circuit controlling mechanisms, a portion of this same gear train is employed to drive the shaft 56 upon which is mounted so as to more therewith a finger 57 which actuates the parts functioning. at predetermined points of carrier travel, to break and change automatically the control and lrgl'itinjg circuits. As above noted. the spur 46 meshes with 1 the gear 48 with which is rotatable the gear 49 "meshing with the gear 500i the shaft3l of the pulley. The gear 51 is also fast on this pulley shaft and in turn meshes with the gear 52 I which latter is fast on the "worm shaft-53 bearing the worm 5 L meshing with the worm gear The worm gear 55 isfast on the finger shaft 56 bearing fast thereto the finger 57. I A cross-head 58 is slidably mounted in the box 40 and is preferably of the general shape shown in Fig 3; 'The depending U- shaped portion 59"has secured thereto a stem 60 carrying a head 61" which acts'in conjunction with'the switch in the box 62 to break and shift the motor'circuit. The cross-head 58 has also a pair ofofli'set portions 63 to which are secured the stems 64. TllQSB'StQITlS freely reciprocate in sleeves 65. positioned in the platform 66 of the box 40, and terminate adjacent the floor of the box where they are slidably "received ''within sleeves 67 secured to a base 68 on the box floor or base.- A cross bar 69 is retentively secured to each of the stems 64 as by set screws 70. And a rod 71 is adjustably attached to thiscross-bar by means ofthe'slet screw 72. A head 73 is caried bythe lower end of'this rod 71 and cotiperativel'y' functions with the switch box 74; to shift the connections of the motor 38 in the power circuit. In this embodiment the 7 power stroke of the cross-head and stems' isdownwardly only and to effect the movement of the parts to elevated position a plurality of helical springs 75 and 76 arefprovided. The springs 75 are'coiled about the portions of the stems 6e comprehended between the offset portions 63 and the sleeves 65, while the springs 76 are coiled about the portions of the same stems comprehendedbetween the cross-bar 69 and the sleeves 6".

The downward. forcing of these stems and the cross-head 58 causes the compression of these four springs with the resultant upward forcing of the stems and cross-head when such movement is permitted. The automatic make and break of the lighting circuit is preferably effected by means of a lever 77 pivotally mounted upon. the standard 78 supported by the platform 66. A stem 7 is pivotally secured to the lever 77 and downwardly extending freely passes through a sleeve 80. The lower end ofthe stem 79 bears a head 81 coiiperating'with the switch-box 82 to close the lighting circuit when in lowered position and to break the same when in elevated position. A ielical spring 83 is coiled about the stem 79 between the pivot yoke 84 and the sleeve and thereby places the stein 79 and outer end of the lever 77 under a tension tending to hold them in elevated position.

T he power depression of the cross-head 58 and of the lever 77 is preferably efi'ected by means of the rotation of the shaft" '56 circuit with the motor 38;

through actuation by the n'lotor "through path the finger reciprocates under actuation in alternate directions by the motor driven shaft 56. The curved shoulder 85 of the linger contacts withand serves to depress the outer end of the lever 77 and thus depress the stem 79 to close the lighting circuit switch. When moved from the position shown in Fig. 3. this shoulder releases the lever'and the helical spring 83 eXertsits tension to raise the stem 79. The shoulders 86 and 87, here shown as substantially pointed projections opposedly formed on a portion of the finger end, function to depress the cross-head 58 at each traverseof the finger. The shoulder 87, shown'in dotted lines he hind the curved shoulder 85'.depresses tho cross-head at one limit of rotation of the shaft 56 by contact with the upper face of 'the'adjacent offset portion 63. The pointed shoulder86 depresses the cross-head by hearing downwardly upon the opposite portion 63 at the other limit of reciprocation ofthe shaft 56'. a 7

The purpose, broadly, of this wiring is to provide an electrical circuit whereby. upon tlie inanual. closing of a switch the current will run from the source of supply to the motor and thereby cause the carrier to travel fromone station to another. and. autoiiiath 'cully at a predetermined point, to open the circuit and-change the circuit connections so thattlie'cairier may alternately come to rest at a station andup'on subsequent closing of the changed circuit, may travel to the other. A simple means of accomplishing this result 'isshown dia 'rainmaticallv in Fig. 5 wherein A designates the switch located in the box of Fig. 3. .B a manually operated switch (such as a push button). and G designates a reversing switch which is inclosed within the box T l, shown in Fig.3. The source of electrical energy is shown as a generator 88 in The several switches are interposed in the circuit between the generator and the motor.

In Fig. the circuit is shown in the posi tion' corresponding to the position of thecaz: rierin F 1 and to the control mechanism shown in Fig. 3. Upon the manual changing of the arm 92 of the switch B to its'dottcd line position. the circuit will be closed and the current will run from the generator 88 through the arm 89 of the switch Alto the wire 90, to the contact point 91 of the switch B,tl1en across the closed arm Gland along the wire 93 to the arm 9% of the reversing switch. In this embodiment of such a switch, there are provided a pair of bars mounted generator via the wires the clamp 9 of at their middle points upon a rotatable post. These bars are insulated from each other and are in different horizontal planes and will be referred to as high and low arms. The high arm 9%, to which ti 2- current flows from the wire 93, is in a plane above the low stationary contact point 100 and therefore the current finds outlet through the opposite high, stationary contact point 98. From this contact thecurrent flows to terminals 102 and 103 oiithe motor. From the motor terminals 10-l and 105, the current will return to the to the low contact 101 in electrical engagei nent with the low arm 95 and thence to the wire 106 and the generator 88. For convenience, in. the drawings the plane of the low switch contacts 100 and 101 and of the bar 9.3 is indicated by the letter L. while the higher plane of the contacts 98 and 09 and of the bar 9% is indieated by theletter H.

Such a circuitclosure will cause the carrier to be returned to the firing station and, at a predetermined point in its travel to such station, the plunger or stem 60 throws the arm 89 of the switch A from contact with the point 106 of the wire 90 into contact with the point 10'? of the wire 108. And therefore as the push button switch B is in the dotted line position, the circuit will be opened and immediately prepared formanual closing by means of lTllGJHOVGHIEIlt ot' the arm 92 of the switch 13 to its position disclosed in full lines in Fig. 5. Substantially at the same-time that the stem 60 throws the arn1;S9 the rod '71 tunctionsto rotate the post96 so that the arms 9% and 9-5 are given a quarterclock-wise turn so that the low arm 95 will make contact with the low contact 100 while the opposite low arm 95 will be spaced below the high stationary contact 98.

he high arm 9% previously held above the low contact 100 will be turned and will engage the high stationary contact 99. The

shifted or changed circuit will then befrom the wire 93 to the high arm 9 1 to the high cont-act 99, to the wires 108 and then to the terminals 103 and 105 otthe motor. Returning the changed circuit runs from the motor terminals 102 and 10 1 to the wires 10'? and then to the low contact 100 and then across the low arm .95 to the wire 106 and then to the generator.

The lighting circuit is not diagramined. it being of any simple form well known to electricians and is such that it is only closed by the plunger or stem '79 when t 1e carrier is near the target station. A supplementary switch is cut in the circuit so that either the front, target lights 30 or the rear inspee tion lights may be lighted at the will of i the marksman.

The target isplaced within carrier. The switclrB is moved. by the marksman toclosc the cii'ei'iit.

Operation essees station the cross-head is depressed by the finger 5.7 and the stemfiO functions to shiftthe arm 89 of the switch A from contact with the point 107 to contact with the point 106. The circuit is thus opened and ready to be manually closed by another operation of the switch B by the narksman. But shortly after (to avoid arcing) the switch A is shittechthe switch C is changed. Change in this time interval may be effected "by means of adjustment of the set screw 72 which holds the rod '71 to the bar 69. This change of switch G is effected by rotation of the post 96 by the plunger or stem 71. Upon the rotation of the post 96, a different pair of contacts is madmthroughtheswitch C so that the motor be actuated in a reverse direction. Therefore, as the power is shut oi, the carrier 1 will come to rest at the target station. The momentum of the parts is sufficient to carry it the short distance. The spring 23 3f the carrier wire effectually takes upthe shock of stoppage and the target is then in position at the target station. Shortly before the carrier reaches-the target station and before the circuit is brokemthe rod 79 functions to close the l ghting circuit, through the switch 82'.

so that the target is illuminatedby means otthetarget lights .30. iFiringmay then take place. In order to per'ceiye the results of the shots, it is neithernecessary to return thetarget to the firing station for examination, nor, isit necessaryrto move the target n ,tront oithe target light. The marks- .manby means of a switch, located at the firingstation andinthe llghting circuit, simply cuts off the lights30 andcut-s inthe rear lights The rays 01' light from the rear lamps pass through any bullet apertures in the target and permit their number and substantially accuratelocation on the target to be viewed from the firing station. After inspection, the marksman restores tl e lightsto initial status and-firing may continue. Bylthis arrangement the delays and inconveniences of target shifting areavoided as is also the usual wavering or vibration of the target due to its movement.

After having .:d1scharged his shots the marksman again throws the switchB. This movement carries the, arm ,92 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig, 5 wherein it makes contactwiththe point 91. The circuit fronrthel generator through the motor isthus completed and the carrier is pulled from the target station to the'firing station.

As the carrier leaves the target station the shoulder of the finger 57 permits the raising of the rod 79 and thus to the interruption of the lighting circuit. Therefore, while the carrier is traveling between stations the light circuit is broken. As the carrier with the used target nears the firing station the circuit is again automatically broken through the switch A and the motor connections are again automatically reversed in order that upon the subsequent manipulation of switch B the carrier may return to the target station. Upon arrival of the carrier with the used target at the firing station the mar 5- man grasps the clamp 9 and removes the target 2 from the carrier and may thereafter insert a fresh target.

There is thus provided a target-controlling apparatus which functions to carry a target from the firing station to exposed position at a target station by electrical means which is set in operation at the will of the marksman. In this apparatus the target is fixedly held to the carrier by the clamp 9, from the time when it is so placed by the marksman, through the firing opera tion and inspection, until removed therefrom by the marksman upon return of the carrier to the firing station. This organization provides a simple, durable and efficient target mechanism.

Having fully described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. In a target apparatus the combination of a firing station, atarget station, a carrier adapted to have a target secured thereto and to carry the same between stations, an electric motor actuable upon the closing of a circuit to cause the carrier to travel from one station to another, and means operable automatically as the carrier nears a station to break the electric circuit and to change the circuit connections so that the carrier may alternately come to rest at a station and upon subsequent closing of the changed circuit may return the target to the other.

2. In a target apparatus, the combination of a firing station, a target station, a carrier adapted to have a target secured thereto, a carrier way connecting said stations whereby the carrier may travel therebetween, a flexible connection extending between said stations and fastened to said carrier, a rotatable member at each station carrying the flexible connection, an electric motor actuable to drive one of the rotatable members and thereby actuate the carrier, switching means in the motor circuit whereby the motor may be reversed and thereby actuate the driven rotatable member in alternate directions so that the carrier may similarly travel, circuit closing means at the firing station, and means for automatically causing said switching means at a predetermined point of for automaticallylighting the target lights as a target nears exposed position and for automatically extinguishing the target lights as the target is carried therefrom.

t. In a target apparatus the combination of a firing station, a target station, a carrier adapted to have a target secured thereto and to carry the same between stations, an electric motor actuable upon the closing of a circuit to cause the carrier to travel from one station to another, a plurality of switches automatically operated by said motor in timed relation to the carrier travel to the target station, first to light the target lights, thereafter to open said motor circuit and to change the circuit connections so that the target may come to rest in exposed illuminated position at the target station.

5. In a target apparatus the combination or" a firing station, a target station, a carrier adapted to have a target secured thereto and to carry the same between stations, an electric motor actuable upon the closing of a circuit to cause the carrier to travel from one station to another, a plurality of switches in said circuit, a plurality of pl angers for actuating said switches, a reciprocable member to actuate said plungers, and means for causing the motor to reciprocate said member in timed relation to the carrier travel, whereby as the carrier nears a station the circuit is automatically broken and the connections changed so that the carrier may come to rest at a station and, upon subsequent manual closure of the circuit, will travel to the other station.

6. In a target apparatus the combination of a firing station, a target station, a carrier adapted to have a target secured thereto and to carry the same between stations, an electric motor actuable upon the closing of a circuit to cause the carrier to travel from one station to another,aplurality of switches in said circuit, plungers for actuating said switches, yieldable means for holding said plungers in tensioned elevated position, a reciprocable member automatically operable in timed relation to the travel of the carrier to depress or permit the elevation of said plungers whereby as the carrier nears a station the circuit is automatically broken and the connections automatically changed by each movement of the plungers by each of said plunger movements.

7. In a target apparatus the combination of a firing station, a target station, a carrier adapted to have a target secured thereto and to carry the same between stations, an elec tiic motor actuabl'e upon tlierolosing of a cii' cnit to cause the; carrier to travel from one statien to another, :1 plurality of switches in saicl circuit,- plungers for actuating said switches, yielclable means for holding saidplungers in tensionecl elevated position, a movable crossheacl'for controlling the movement of saicl plungers, a reciprocable mew-- ber automatically operable in timed relation to the travel. of the carrier to depress or permit theelevation of said. C1'OSSl11Cl whereby as the CZI'IliQlL' nears a station. the circuit is automatically broken and the connections automatically changed by ea ch movement of the cross-head.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM I. THOMPSON.

flames efi patent "meg be obtained fer five eents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

We'shmgtm, i G. 

